World

Powerful and moving pictures showing trans lives being honoured around the world

Trans Day of Remembrance vigil in Washington square park

People hold photos of transgender victims at the Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil in Washington square park. New York. (AFP via Getty / KENA BETANCUR)

The world marked Trans Day of Remembrance on Saturday (20 November), honouring those lost to transphobic violence during the deadliest year on record.

Trans people have been murdered at shocking rates this year, with at least 45 trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people violently killed so far in the US alone, far surpassing the total number of people killed in the whole of 2020.

Vigils and protests were held across the world, calling for an end to the devastating violence.

New York, US

A march was held in Washington Square Park, New York, honouring the trans folk killed in the US this year.

People hold a "Trans Life Matter" banner at the Transgender Day of Remembrance in Washington square park, New York

People hold a “Trans Life Matter” banner at the Transgender Day of Remembrance in Washington square park, New York. (AFP via Getty/ KENA BETANCUR)

The protest was hosted by Gays Against Guns, whose members dressed in all-white and silently held placards with the names and stories of those lost.

Trans Day of Remembrance vigil in Washington square park

People hold photos of transgender victims at the Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil in Washington square park. New York. (AFP via Getty / KENA BETANCUR)

London, UK

A protest was held outside the BBC headquarters, Broadcasting House, in London on Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Protesters held a candlelit vigil in response to the recent infamous article released by the BBC, which claimed that cisgender lesbians are being pressured into sex by trans women.

The article was also published in Brazil, the deadliest country in the world for trans people.

Seoul, South Korea 

In Seoul, South Korea, the trans community and their allies marched through the streets to mark Trans Day of Remembrance.

Participants sang “Into the New World”, a song by the girl group Girls’ Generation, which has become a powerful protest song for South Korea’s youth.

Rome, Italy 

People take part in a demonstration for Trans Day of Remembrance in Rome, Italy

People take part in a demonstration against transphobic and commemorating Transgender Day of Remembrance in Rome, Italy. (NurPhoto via Getty/ Sirio Tessitore)

Hundreds gathered in Rome’s central piazza, flying Pride flags and holding placards.

People take part in a demonstration against transphobic and commemorating Transgender Day of Remembrance in Rome, Italy. (NurPhoto via Getty/ Sirio Tessitore)

Paris, France

In Paris, more than 1,000 people headed to Place Saint-Gervais for a protest that was fill of “emotion and anger”, according to local activist group Du Pain et des Roses.

Tokyo, Japan

Trans Day of Remembrance in Japan saw Tokyo’s first-ever march specifically for the trans community.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Shinjuku Central Park for the event, organised by Transgender Japan, which said: “Hundreds of transgender people are killed every year around the world, and in Japan there are many people who take their own lives due to the denial of their human rights.”

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